Winds Of Eternity Part 31

"Oh, yes. The house doesn't have electricity - except for a small generator for the kitchen. It's like stepping back in time 200 years."

"I would like to see it."

Quentin spoke then. "I'm sure you will. Finished your lessons, Amy?"

"I'm on break," she told him. "David's taking a test. Why didn't you go into work this morning?"

"I'm taking some time off. Why don't you go and see if Mrs. Johnson has lunch ready?"

"Sure." The girl ran off toward the kitchen.

Miranda watched her go with a smile. "She's a nice girl."

"Yes, she is. She's had a pretty rough life, although you'd never know it to look at her. Her parents died when she was a baby, and both her brothers died within a few years of each other."

"She hasn't any other family?"

"There's a cousin, I believe, but he's in a sanitarium." He didn't even consider telling her that Amy was his great-granddaughter. She would remember that along with everything else.

Miranda had returned to her contemplation of the portrait. "Quentin, could you take me to the Old House?"

"You won't be able to see him, Miranda."

"I just want to know where the house is," she told him.

"I'll take you there this evening," he promised. "Can you wait until then?"

"I suppose I'll have to."

Amy ran back in, then up the stairs, saying, "Lunch is ready."60.

Julia started the necessary tests at dusk, as soon as Barnabas rose. He seemed nervous, on edge about something. "What's wrong, Barnabas?" "Nothing."

"You're lying to me. I can tell you're troubled."

"Did you see Angelique today?" "I saw Miranda, yes. She seems fine." "Have you contacted Dr. du Bois?"

"I expect him to return my call tomorrow." He began to put his coat back on. "Don't try to evade the issue, Barnabas."

"I don't know what you mean. Am I free to go now?"

"Yes. But she's not at Collinwood." He looked at her then. "Where is she?"

"She went for a walk with Quentin." She saw his hand curl into a fist, then relax. With worried eyes, she watched him stalk out of the room.

"You promised to take me to the Old House," Miranda reminded Quentin.

"Later." He was waiting for proof of his suspicions, and it wasn't long in coming. A dog began to howl in the distance, then nearer, and Miranda looked away. "Miranda?" He held her arm.

"I have to go."

"Where?"

"Please. I must go." His hold tightened.

"Not until you tell me where."

"Let me go, Quentin. You wouldn't understand!"

"Oh, but I do, Miranda."

Those words stopped her struggle to free herself momentarily. "You can't!"

She started to fight again. "I'll take you to him, Miranda. Just calm down and look at me."

Barnabas turned from the window. Why hadn't she come to him? Was Quentin stopping her?

"Barnabas. I thought you had gone," Willie said. He'd heard the dogs howling, and was nervous.

"Not yet, Willie."

Holding up a tray, he said, "I gotta take this coffee down to Julia -"

"Then go on." He stared into the fireplace, began calling again. "Come to me. Let no one stop you. I need you."

The front door opened and Miranda entered the room, crossing to stand before him, her eyes bright. "I heard you."

"Why didn't you come when I called the first time?"

"He wouldn't let me."

"Who?"

"She's talking about me, Barnabas," Quentin said, coming into the room.

"Quentin. I warned you last night-"

"I would have stayed out of it, if I hadn't discovered what you had done."

Willie stopped on the threshold. "Excuse me."

"Willie, take Miranda up to Josette's room." He turned to her and took her hand. "Go with Willie while Quentin and I talk. I won't be long."

"All right." She followed Willie up the stairs.

"Barnabas -"

"I know, Quentin. I know. I just wanted to talk to her - but before I realized what was happening -"